In a significant development for the crypto industry, the United Kingdom’s His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) has released an update on the regulatory framework for crypto assets. The announcement demonstrates the UK’s commitment to fostering an open and well-regulated capital market that embraces the potential of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. The HMT’s response covers several key aspects, including the exclusion of airdrops from the token issuance regulatory perimeter and the clarification that non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are considered out of scope. The UK government’s approach to decentralized finance (DeFi) reflects a cautious yet forward-thinking stance, acknowledging the potential role of DeFi in financial services. Importantly, the government emphasizes that it does not intend to ban DeFi, aligning with its innovation-forward approach. The HMT strongly disagrees with characterizing crypto trading as gambling or advocating for an outright ban, recognizing the potential negative impact on innovation. However, the statement acknowledges the need for additional clarity on concepts of decentralization and customer protection. The regulatory framework aims to establish a clear and proportionate regulatory environment that enables firms to innovate while maintaining financial stability and regulatory standards. It includes plans to bring centralized crypto exchanges, custody services, lending platforms, and other core activities under financial services regulation for the first time. The proposed regulatory regime will be incorporated within the existing framework established by the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), leveraging its credibility and regulatory clarity. The HMT’s regulatory framework is subject to consultation and stakeholder engagement, with ongoing dialogue facilitated by an engagement group chaired by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury. The UK’s proactive steps towards effective crypto asset regulation position it as a global hub for web3 and reinforce its commitment to embracing the transformative potential of digital assets in the financial landscape.

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Information	Details
Geography	Europe
Countries	🇬🇧
Sentiment	positive
Relevance Score	1
People	Brian Quintenz
Companies	His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT), a16z Crypto, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA)
Currencies	None
Securities	None